Though Joakim Brodén has always been the mastermind behind the Sabaton sound, Heroes faces a lot of pressure as the first album with the new lineup.

The bands former members have found success in Civil War, and now it is time for Sabaton to make their own comeback. The first three seconds of the opener "Night Witches" alone prove definitively that Sabaton is back and stronger than ever.

Chris Rörland, Thobbe Englund, and Hannes Van Dahl have done an excellent job of preserving the sound of albums past, stepping into the shoes of their predecessors with the ease of a well-oiled metal machine. Sabaton 2.0 largely remains faithful to the old ways, but new musicians necessitate at least some change; rather than play copycats, they imbue Heroes with a slightly darker atmosphere and some amped-up heaviness. The solos are a tad flashier than those of Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén, but just as catchy and memorable, and the drums drive like never before, with grooves deeper than ex-MI6 agent Dusko Popov's cover.

While "Far From The Fame" and "The Ballad Of Bull" are definitely unusual sorts of songs for Sabaton, the folkish riff on "To Hell And Back" and grimness of "Inmate 4859" also indicate that the band is trying out a few new ideas.

When the track list for Heroes was initially released, every fan with an internet connection scrambled to find out which of their national heroes would be immortalized in a Sabaton song. This, for me, is the best part about Sabaton - sharing in the unparalleled sense of pride that fans feel when seeing their countries' favorite sons memorialized. How can you fail when wrapping up history lessons in such glorious choruses? Celebrating such peerless men and women such as Lauri Törni, Karel Janoušek, and Witold Pilecki, Heroes testifies not only to honor and bravery but to Sabaton's unflagging strength.

"Night Witches" boldly opens the album with a roaring, frenetic "Ghost Division"-style anthem, "Hearts Of Iron" closes with a sorrowful but proud march. In between: glory! "Resist And Bite" stands tall as the piéce de résistance, with "Night Witches" and "Far From The Fame" also competing for the top spot. Of course, it's a Sabaton album; there are NO bad songs. There aren't even any songs that are just "good." I got this album this morning and I've already listened to it six times in a row.

Heroes might not have as much blatant experimentation with song structure as 2008's The Art Of War, but the two are certainly comparable. It's the same Sabaton with a few new tricks; something that, like their previous releases, likely won't convert any non-believers (or sound all that different), but that fans will appreciate. Heroes succeeds as mightily as the people whom it so faithfully chronicles.

It is clear that this review is written by a fan. The rating does not reflect in the tone of the review though, which was more like 'it ain't great, it ain't bad either, but it won't give haters a run for their money'. This is the impression this review gave me. I just hope that the album will be good, I mean I liked Carolus Rex and I still play it today too but I don't think I have such high expectations.

It is clear that this review is written by a fan. The rating does not reflect in the tone of the review though, which was more like 'it ain't great, it ain't bad either, but it won't give haters a run for their money'. This is the impression this review gave me. I just hope that the album will be good, I mean I liked Carolus Rex and I still play it today too but I don't think I have such high expectations.

I think the album is really fantastic, so that rating definitely reflects how I feel. What I meant in that last paragraph was not so much an ambivalent judgment as the recognition that it's similar enough to their past albums that people who disliked Carolus Rex and Coat Of Arms probably won't have their minds changed by this, but if you did like those albums then you'll like this as well. Other than that, I thought the review was pretty overwhelmingly positive. And, of course, clearly written by a fan.

I would argue there are TONS of albums with no bad songs, even though most have 1 or 2 filler songs that are just average.

I imagine people will start flocking to this to say "9.6 for a power metal album WTF" because power metal isn't what the cool kids like these days, but I enjoyed reading the review SS, good job. This album sounds right up my alley too.

I would argue there are TONS of albums with no bad songs, even though most have 1 or 2 filler songs that are just average.

I imagine people will start flocking to this to say "9.6 for a power metal album WTF" because power metal isn't what the cool kids like these days, but I enjoyed reading the review SS, good job. This album sounds right up my alley too.

Hell, I'd rate the new Gamma Ray, Noble Beast, maybe even Sinbreed and Iron Savior pretty close to this score

I imagine people will start flocking to this to say "9.6 for a power metal album WTF" because power metal isn't what the cool kids like these days, but I enjoyed reading the review SS, good job. This album sounds right up my alley too.

Well, the cool kids never listen to anything good these days, so I'm just fine with that.

I imagine people will start flocking to this to say "9.6 for a power metal album WTF" because power metal isn't what the cool kids like these days, but I enjoyed reading the review SS, good job. This album sounds right up my alley too.

I think "___ for a ___ album WTF" is how people generally react to my reviews, but I'm glad you liked it. I hope you like the album, too.

I would argue there are TONS of albums with no bad songs, even though most have 1 or 2 filler songs that are just average.

I imagine people will start flocking to this to say "9.6 for a power metal album WTF" because power metal isn't what the cool kids like these days, but I enjoyed reading the review SS, good job. This album sounds right up my alley too.

what if i tell you i enjoy power metal aswell including sabaton, alestorm, blind guardian and other acts and i never said anything about a power metal album couldn't reach a 10 score i just think you don't expect a review to be tendentious as this one, what is the point of reading a review that will only grow your expectations and eventualy makes you disapointed with the final result? He as every the right to be a fan of the band but at least he must show some kind of balance when he reviews

what if i tell you i enjoy power metal aswell including sabaton, alestorm, blind guardian and other acts and i never said anything about a power metal album couldn't reach a 10 score i just think you don't expect a review to be tendentious as this one, what is the point of reading a review that will only grow your expectations and eventualy makes you disapointed with the final result? He as every the right to be a fan of the band but at least he must show some kind of balance when he reviews

The second part of my comment was not directed at you, only the first part was. So the whole "never said anything about this and that" deal, duh.

Also, as far as what you just said, it makes no sense for someone who likes an album and enjoys an album to lower their score of it to make it more agreeable. The point of a review is to offer an opinion, not dilute it to an estimated average of where you think the opinions of others will level out to. If he didn't find anything seriously wrong with the album, there is no reason for the review to include negative criticism for the sake of having negative criticism.

Written by Mattybu on 03.05.2014 at 05:38I would argue there are TONS of albums with no bad songs, even though most have 1 or 2 filler songs that are just average.

I imagine people will start flocking to this to say "9.6 for a power metal album WTF" because power metal isn't what the cool kids like these days, but I enjoyed reading the review SS, good job. This album sounds right up my alley too.

Written by Mattybu on 04.05.2014 at 03:03The second part of my comment was not directed at you, only the first part was. So the whole "never said anything about this and that" deal, duh.

Also, as far as what you just said, it makes no sense for someone who likes an album and enjoys an album to lower their score of it to make it more agreeable. The point of a review is to offer an opinion, not dilute it to an estimated average of where you think the opinions of others will level out to. If he didn't find anything seriously wrong with the album, there is no reason for the review to include negative criticism for the sake of having negative criticism.

I was going to weigh into this debate/argument, but you've said everything I wanted to say in these two posts, and there's nothing I can add to them. If this site allowed you to vote up people's posts, you'd definitely get two thumbs up from me. Awesome comments.

For some reason, I've never really listened to Sabaton, aside from the odd song here and there, but I think now might be the time for me to give them a go.

The album is deffinetly really good and for me personally, Carolus Rex was their best work.This one could be lined up as their 2nd best, because I doubt they can top Carolus in a way. Its just what I think.

Just heard the album for the tenth time or sth like that and I think that's impossible to give 9.6 to a band that's been releasing the same album over and over again for ten years (I know, I know, "The Ballad Of Bull" is something new, but, come on!). This doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable, since it's nice to hear again from them and since with this album I'll be reinforcing my workout playlist. An abundant 8.

Ok, listened to it, and I have to say I am impressed. I don't necessarily consider this album better than Carolus Rex, but I do think it stands on par. The first part is just goddamn fantastic. A thorough 9.